All agencies of the State of Oregon provide honorably-discharged veterans and disabled veterans with preference points in employment as follows:

5 points (Veteran):*

There is no limit to the number of times you can use these points.

(As of 1/1/2010 you no longer must be discharged in the last 15 years to receive 5 points. Any discharge date is now eligible.)

To receive 5 points you must have served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States (US):

For more than 90 consecutive days beginning on or before January 31, 1955; or

For more than 178 consecutive days;or

For 178 days or less and has a disability rating from the US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs; or

For at least one day in a combat zone; or

Received a combat or campaign ribbon or an expeditionary medal for service in the Armed Forces.

To qualify under 1-5 above you must have been discharged or released under honorable conditions; or

Is receiving a non-service connected pension from the US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs

*To receive credit as a 5 Point Veteran you must attach to yourapplication:

A copy of your DD214/DD215 form; or A letter from the US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs indicating you receive a non-service connected pension to your application.

“Combat Zone” means an area designated by the President of the United States by executive order in which, on the dates designated by executive order, the Armed Forces of the United States are or have engaged in combat.

“Veteran” means a person who:

(A) Served on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States:

For a period of more than 178 consecutive days and was discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions;

For 178 days or less and was discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions because of a service-connected disability; or

For at least one day in a combat zone and was discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions; or

(B) Received a combat or campaign ribbon for service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

“Active duty” does not include attendance at a school under military orders, except schooling incident to an active enlistment or a regular tour of duty, or normal military training as a reserve officer or member of an organized reserve or a National Guard unit.

10 points (Disabled Veteran):**

There is no limit to the number of times you can use these points.

To receive 10 points you must be:

A person whose discharge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; or

Entitled to disability compensation under laws administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or

Awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.

**To receive credit as a 10 point Disabled Veteran you must attach to yourapplication:A copy of your DD214/DD215 form; or A letter from the US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs indicating you receive a non-service connected pension; and A copy of your veterans' disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veterans' Affairs.

“Disabled Veteran” means a person entitled to disability compensation under laws administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a person whose discharge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty or a person who was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.

Qualifying veterans and disabled veterans may obtain preference by submitting as verification of eligibility a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) or a letter from the US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension to your application. Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veteran Affairs, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.DD214 forms need to be the service copy 2, 3, or member copy 4. These three copies are the only ones that can be used to verify characterization of service. Member copy 1can not be used. Disability letters that the show "Medical Description" of the disability will not be accepted. Letters showing "Monthly Entitlement Amount" are also not acceptable. Click Here For Sample Letter

If you have questions or need assistance with these forms and letters contact the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs. To order the letter, call 1-800-827-1000 and request a public employment preference letter. Contact the Veteran Service Office or an Oregon Veterans Representatives should you need assistance.

For record keeping, Veterans' should make copies of any and all documentation. Veterans' records contain private information and should be handled accordingly.

In accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235; OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015.

Scored Application Examinations: If an agency uses, after an Initial Application Screening, a scored Application Examination to determine whom to consider further for appointment, the agency will add (based on a 100 point scale) 5 preference points to a veteran's score and add 10 preference points to a disabled veteran's score.

Unscored Application Examinations: Unscored Application Examinations done by application sorting into levels based on desired attributes, or other criteria to determine those in an applicant pool to be considered further for appointment will be accomplished by:

Advancing the application of a veteran one level within a sorting process or;

Advancing an application of a disabled veteran two levels within a sorting process.

Interviews

Scored Interviews: A veteran or disabled veteran is provided preference in a scored interview process. The agency will add (based on a 100 point scale) 5 preference points to a veteran's interview score and add 10 preference points to a disabled veteran's interview score at each level of interview to which a score is received.

Unscored Interviews: A veteran or disabled veteran is provided preference in unscored interview processes through an assessment conducted by the Appointing Authority or authorized delegate of the veteran’s or disabled veteran’s merits. A veteran or disabled veteran who meets all or substantially all of the agency’s purposes in filling the position will continue to be considered for appointment.

Selection

When a veteran or disabled veteran has been determined to be equal to the top applicant(s) for a position upon completion of the Application Examination process, then the veteran or disabled veteran shall be ranked more highly than non-veteran applicants and, a disabled veteran shall be ranked more highly than both non-veteran and veteran applicant.

Follow up

A veteran or disabled veteran applicant who is not selected for a position may request an explanation from the hiring agency. The request must be in writing and be sent within 30 calendar days of the date the agency informed the applicant that he/she was not selected (OAR 105-040-0015).

Note: Correctional Officers

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, Apprenticeship, and Training Division have approved the initial one year training program for Correctional Officer’s for VA benefits. This apprenticeship program is for qualified veterans who are hired by ODOC that complete the required educational benefit application paperwork. Specific questions about qualifying for this benefit, once hired by ODOC, can be found at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Education and Training site.